"I do everything Medicare," she shared. "We help seniors know what their options are, and we do all the companies from supplements, drug plans, and everything in between."
Bolt is a broker which sets her apart from others in the field who may be tied to one particular company or product. She can work with all providers and groups and has been at the Medicare realm specifically for 15 years. Before launching her own business in 2011, she had worked with senior centers and volunteered at health fairs. She is licensed in 14 states with more than 20 motivated agents that have been trained to find the best options for seniors' individual needs.
"I love the people that I get to work with," Bolt said when asked what she most loves about the job. "It's like having all the best grandparents, working with so many wonderful seniors."
She also stressed that even though most of the world is shut down due to COVID-19, seniors shouldn't assume that, that means their Medicare is also on hold.
"The biggest thing right now is that even though everything is at a stand still, that doesn't mean that plans are stopping. Most Medicare plans still need to be (and are expected) to be selected within 90 days after the month that their Medicare starts."
"We're doing email communications and appointments via Zoom where clients have the capability, and I"m sending out packets in the mail for those who can't or prefer to have a product in their hands to look at," she said, adding that she also holds phone calls to go over all presentations. "Once I find out which way they want to lean, then we start talking product."
Bolt can send out materials on whatever you may need whether it's medicare drug plans, medicare supplements, or medicare advantage plans. While she primarily works with seniors, for those with spouses who aren't yet 65 or on a health plan, her team is also specialized as a health and life agency.
"We can get spouses on a plan, or if they have children that aren't covered, we can look at that, or if life insurance is the need, we can do that too," she shared.
Bolt explained that she aims to work to find out where her clients are to get started: while some seniors on social security automatically get their Medicare card and plan options, some are not or may want to defer to get the maximum out of their social security, and she can help them go online to get their Medicare started and find the right course.
According to the guide on her website, the initial enrollment period for seniors begins three months before the month of their 65th birthday and ends three months after.
"It's very important to remember to sign up for Medicare when you first become eligible because if you forget, and your Medicare Part A coverage starts, you'll lose any tax credit or other costs associated with your Marketplace plan and have to pay full price," she explained.
Bolt can also help seniors with canceling any marketplace plans they have prior to their Medicare starting.
"If you and your spouse or other household members are enrolled on the same plan, but you're the only one eligible for Medicare, you'll cancel coverage for just yourself," Bolt said. "This way any others on the plan can keep their current coverage." *Reference medicaremisty.com
To learn more about Medicare Misty and her services, call her at 423-240-0794 or visit medicaremisty.com or follow her on social media (Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter) (*Medicare Misty Advisors is not affiliated by, or endorsed by any government agency.)